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LittFest programme finalised – Vaasa’s very own literature festival returns this November
Published: 3.9.2025
Vaasa LittFest will take place from 13 to 15 November 2025. The programme will run for three days and include author interviews, discussions, workshops, and evening events. This year’s theme is Border(s).
The literature festival will feature, among others, philosopher Frank Martela, who will talk about happiness and the meaning of life. In his new book Älä etsi onnea, Martela reminds that happiness comes from the right attitude to life, not from pursuing it, and encourages his readers to seek contentment through the things that truly matter to them. The event, held at Vaasa City Theatre on Friday, 14 November from 15–16, is free of charge.
Heli Laaksonen, renowned for her poetry in the distinct South-West Finland dialect, will present a humorous and moving performance at LittFest. She will also present her new poetry collection Ilone – Runoilijan värinkäsityksiä (2025). Laaksonen, who made her debut 25 years ago with Pulu uis, has published around ten works, which have sold nearly 300,000 copies, and has received gold records for two of her audiobooks. Laaksonen will perform at Vaasa City Theatre on Thursday 13 November, from 19–20.30. The event is free of charge.
Actress, author and singer Laura Malmivaara will perform at LittFest alongside arranger, composer and vibraphonist Arttu Takalo and the Vaasa City Orchestra at the City Hall. The performance on Friday, 14 November, at 18 will feature excerpts from Malmivaara’s autofictional novel Iltatähti, published last year, which tells the story of a middle-aged woman’s road trip to a literary festival with her two daughters. Malmivaara’s texts will be accompanied by Takalo’s compositions. The event is free of charge.
The festival will conclude with the Rajatila/Borderline evening
The literature festival will culminate in the Rajatila/Borderline evening in the Draama Room at the main library on Saturday 15 November from 18–20. The evening will feature discussions on boundaries from the perspectives of literature, religious studies and even witchcraft. Participants include debut author Annika Perkiö, religious studies scholar Tuomas Äystö, and authors Jenna Kostet and Riina Peltonen, together with modern-day witch Kuparikettu.
The Maanvaivat choir, performing dark folk music, and Perkiö’s mysterious puppet photographs will contribute to the eerie atmosphere. The evening will be hosted by Vaasa’s own horror duo, Tiina and Marko Hautala.
The full festival program will be published by the end of September at vaasa.fi/littfest.
Tickets for the events are available from Vaasa City Theatre and Vaasa City Orchestra.